USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 19
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Anthony J. Korst is among the successful merchants of Joliet, where he is engaged in the jewelry business at Clinton and Ottowa streets. He was born in this city, Dec. 6, 1890, the son of Nicholas and Eva (Fred- erick) Korst.
Both Nicholas Korst and his wife were born in Germany. They emi- grated to the United States in 1870 and during that year came to Joliet, where Mr. Korst followed his trade as a blacksmith. He died May 14, 1921, and his wife, who was born Sept. 6, 1851, died Nov. 24, 1910. They are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Korst were born eight children, of whom Anthony J., the subject of this sketch, is the youngest.
Anthony J. Korst obtained his education in the parochial schools. After completing his schooling he became interested in the jewelry business, having entered the employ of George E. Flagans, in March, 1905. Two years later he became associated with Carl Oesterle, with whom he remained eleven years. Since 1919 Mr. Korst has conducted his own business, and until March, 1928, was located in the Morris Build- ing. He has met with success in his business and owns one of the fine shops of Joliet.
On Sept. 9, 1913, Mr. Korst was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Tietz of Joliet, the daughter of Emil and Mary (Stengele) Tietz, both deceased. Mrs. Korst was born in St. Louis, Mo., and has been a resident of Joliet since 1900. There are four children in the Korst family, Marie, Loretta, Dorothy and Charles.
Mr. Korst and his family hold membership in St. John's Catholic Church, and he belongs to the Moose and Eagles Lodges and Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a Republican.
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Eugene J. Bensen, proprietor of the Bensen Cash Grocery, is one of the most popular merchants of Joliet. He was born in Sweden, Dec. 22, 1859.
Mr. Bensen spent his early life in his native land where he received his schooling. He came to the United States in 1880, and resided with the family of J. D. Paige in Joliet. He was employed by Mr. Paige for several years and later engaged in general farming in New York. He established his present business in Joliet in 1921. His business is located at 653 Cass Street.
In 1884 Mr. Bensen married Miss Dorothy Hoffer, who died in 1907. They had four children: Rena Viola, married Frank R. Downey, and they have a daughter, Dorothy; Omi, married Clarence Sibley, lives at Jacksonville, Fla., and they have two children, Louise and Robert; Elmer H., lives at Danville, Ill., married Miss Henrietta Petersen, of Joliet, and they have four sons, Elmer Eugene, Otto Allen, Raymond Francis, and Harry Earl; and Ruby, married R. H. Salisbury, lives in Joliet.
In 1909 Mr. Benson married Miss Inga Fosen, a native of Sweden. They have a daughter, Ethel, who was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1928.
Mr. Bensen attends the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Vikings, and Chamber of Commerce.
Walter W. Welsch, one of the enterprising young business men of Joliet, is a veteran of the World War. He was born in this city, Jan. 28, 1896, the son of R. T. and Hulda (Gierich) Welsch.
Walter W. Welsch was educated in the public schools of Joliet, from which he was graduated in 1911. He was employed in his father's contracting business and also spent several years with the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad. During the World War Mr. Welsch volunteered for service and throughout the duration of the war was stationed at a camp in New Jersey. Following his discharge he became interested in business in Joliet in partnership with his brother, Roland W. In 1919 they established the Welsch Waterproof Block Company, which is located at 111 North Stevens Avenue. Approximately 25 men are em- ployed in the plant which has a daily output of 4,000 blocks. They manufacture concrete materials of various types, including foundation block, Litewate Nail Block walls, chimney blocks, fire places, garbage
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receptacles, garden furniture, and clothes line posts. The new plant is located at Gardner Street, south of Hickory Creek.
On March 22, 1922, Mr. Welsch was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Meyers. They have a son, William Walter, born Dec. 12, 1926.
Mr. Welsch is a Republican, a member of the First Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
Hamilton L. Ruggles is one of the progressive business men of Joliet, where he is identified with the Star Peerless Wallpaper Company. He was born at Frankfort, Ill., March 29, 1863, the son of Lorenzo and Emily (Shaffer) Ruggles.
Lorenzo Ruggles was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Feb. 9, 1822. He came to Illinois in 1845 and located at Frankfort, in Will County. He died Oct. 5, 1911, and his wife, who was born June 22, 1827, died April 22, 1918. They are buried at Frankfort. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles the following children were born: Mary J., born April 20, 1848, lives at Daytona Beach, Fla .; Emma A., born Sept. 17, 1850, died July 26, 1917; Sarah C., born May 29, 1855, married Dr. Conrad Scheer, lives at Tinley Park, Ill .; Eva Gilbert, born Dec. 6, 1857, lives at Sourlake, Texas; Cora Merwin, born March 22, 1860, lives in Joliet; and Hamilton L., the subject of this sketch.
Hamilton L. Ruggles lived at Frankfort until he was 16 years of age and was educated there. He then went to Colorado to live with a sister and while there was employed by the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad. He had learned telegraphy and was later in the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad for about 20 years. In 1900 he went to Omaha, Neb., and the following year was located at St. Joseph, Mo. In November, 1901, he returned from the west and located at Hammond, Ind. Later he went to Porter, Ill., where he was employed as office manager and super- intendent by the Hydraulic Pressed Brick Company. In 1916 Mr. Ruggles came to Joliet and accepted a position with the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad as chief clerk. In 1918 he became associated with the Star Peerless Wallpaper Company as head of the billing department and has since served in that capacity.
On June 27, 1888, Mr. Ruggles was united in marriage with Miss Jennie LaFontaine, of Joliet, the daughter of Damas and Lucy LaFon- taine, both deceased. To them were born three children: E. Bernice, born April 15, 1890, a graduate of the Cosmopolitan School of Music,
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now a teacher of voice and piano, in Joliet, married Bernard A. Evans; Leonard L., born November 14, 1894, a graduate of Purdue University, lives at Wheaton, Ill., he is employed by the Automatic Electrical Com- pany of Chicago as an electrical engineer, married Miss Irene Fuller of Lafayette, Ind., and they have three children, Phyllis, Dorothy, and Wayne; and Helen B., born Jan. 29, 1897, married Edward L. Cook of Chicago, architect, and they have two daughters, Virginia Fay and Doris Jane.
Mr. Ruggles and his family have a wide acquaintance throughout Will County and are highly esteemed.
Martin J. Ivec, M. D., is among the leading physicians and surgeons of Joliet, where he has engaged in the practice of his profession for the past 24 years. He was born at Semich, Jugo-Slavia, formerly Aus- tria-Hungary, Oct. 12, 1878, the son of Jacob and Agnes Ivec.
Jacob Ivec, who died in 1880, spent his entire life in Jugo-Slavia. He was a prominent business man of Semich and active in the civic affairs of his community. His widow emigrated to the United States in 1888 with her two sons, Martin J. and John, and they settled at Cold Springs, Minn., where Mrs. Ivec still resides. Martin J. and John Ivec are twins. The latter is a druggist at Oaks, N. D.
Martin J. Ivec was ten years of age when he came to this country with his mother. He was educated in the public schools of Richmond, Minn., and in 1897 received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn. He then taught school for two years and later attended Little Falls (Minn.) Business College. During the summer sessions of 1898 and 1899 he attended the St. Cloud State Normal School at St. Cloud, Minn. He subsequently took up the study of medicine at the University of Minnesota and later at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he received his degree as Doctor of Medi- cine in 1904. He immediately established his practice in Joliet and during 1905-06 served as interne under Chief Surgeon Nicholas Fenn, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Chicago. He returned to Joliet in 1906, where he has continued in practice, with the exception of time spent in post- graduate work. During 1922 he studied surgery at the University of London, and in 1923-4 took post-graduate work at the University of Vienna, where he specialized in eye, ear, nose and throat surgery. Be-
DR. MARTIN J. IVEC
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sides his extensive private practice, Dr. Ivec is also a member of the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital and Silver Cross Hospital.
On June 12, 1907, Dr. Ivec was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Schall, the daughter of Nicholas Schall. Mr. Schall was a promi- nent farmer of Beaver, Boone County, Iowa. He died in 1915.
For twelve years Dr. Ivec was supreme medical examiner of the Slavonian Catholic Union of America, the South Slavonic Catholic Union and St. Barbara Fraternal Union, all fraternal life insurance organiza- tions. At present he is surgeon for the Moore Brothers Stove Works, Joliet, Ill.
Dr. Ivec is identified with the Will County Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society, and American Medical Association. He is a mem- ber of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and is active in the affairs of the Slavonic Catholic Union.
Leslie A. Touzalin, who is assistant general superintendent of the Joliet Works of the Illinois Steel Company, is one of the highly esteemed and widely known men of Joliet. He was born in Chicago, Sept. 8, 1881, the son of George A. and Theresa M. (Arnold) Touzalin.
George A. Touzalin was born at Columbus, Ill., in 1845. He was a tailor by trade and spent the greater part of his life in Chicago, where he died Feb. 23, 1911. He is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Chicago. His widow, now 75 years of age, lives at Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Touzalin were born two sons: Leslie A., the subject of this sketch; and Chester A., born May 24, 1884, died Jan. 31, 1926.
Leslie A. Touzalin obtained his education in the public schools of Chicago. He attended the Lewis Institute and later was graduated from the Rose Polytechnical School at Terre Haute, Ind., in 1904, as a chemical engineer. He began his professional career as a consulting chemist with H. M. Deavitt, Chicago, and a year later went with the Chicago Works of the Illinois Steel Company as a research chemist. He was later made assistant chief chemist and spent 11 years in the Chicago plant. In 1922 Mr. Touzalin was transferred to the Joliet Works as superintendent of the blast furnaces, and in November, 1926, he was promoted to assistant general superintendent of the works.
On Nov. 27, 1905, Mr. Touzalin married Miss Florida J. Hutchins, of Chicago. They have three children: Helen L., born Aug. 28, 1906, was graduated from Knox College in 1928; G. Allen, born Jan. 1, 1909, was
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graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1928; and Robert E., born April 13, 1917, attends public school Joliet.
Mr. Touzalin is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which he is an Elder, and he belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, Joliet Country Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Joliet School Board.
J. V. Kelly is among the most popular men of Joliet, where he is secretary of the Loyal Order of Moose. He was born in this city, April 5, 1889, the son of John and Catherine (McFadden) Kelly.
John Kelly was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was among the early settlers of Joliet, having located here about 1860. Throughout his active career he was engaged in railroading. He died in 1910 at the age of 62 years and is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery. His wife, a native of Joliet, died in 1890. She was the daughter of James and Ellen McFadden, natives of Ireland, and pioneer settlers of Will County. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were born three children: Josephine, died in 1912, was the wife of Thomas Coughlin; Mary, married Joseph Eme, lives in Chicago; and J. V., the subject of this sketch.
Following his graduation from Joliet Township High School, J. V. Kelly was connected with various business enterprises in the city. In 1913 he accepted the office of secretary of the Loyal Order of Moose.
On Sept. 2, 1914, Mr. Kelly married Miss Mary Goebel, of Joliet, a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Fiday) Goebel. Mr. Goebel is a resident of Joliet, where he has been in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company as general foreman for almost half a century. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have no children.
Theodore Bolstad ranks high among the representative business men of Joliet, where he is proprietor of the Joliet Office Supply Company, which is located at 118 North Chicago Street. He was born in Chicago, May 10, 1881, the son of K. O. and Elizabeth Bolstad.
K. O. Bolstad was born in Norway. He came to the United States in 1861 and settled in Chicago, where he spent many years in the whole- sale clothing business. He died in 1924 at the age of 75 years and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago. His wife died in 1903. To Mr. and Mrs. Bolstad were born the following children: Arthur, died in
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1894 at the age of 18 years; Mrs. Stella Pederson, lives at Maywood, Ill .; Mrs. Alma Nicoli, lives at Maywood, Ill .; Theodore, the subject of this sketch ; Dr. Herbert, physician, lives at St. Paul, Minn .; and Mrs. Luella Davis, lives at Maywood, Ill.
Theodore Bolstad was educated in the public and high schools of Chicago. He began his business career with the Chicago National Bank and served as a teller until 1904, at which time he went with the Den- nison Manufacturing Company of Chicago as a traveling salesman. He was connected with this concern until February, 1919, when he estab- lished his present business in Joliet. The Joliet Office Supply Company carries a complete line of office equipment and supplies, and also handles sporting goods.
On June 29, 1912, Mr. Bolstad married Miss Charlotte Rife, of War- saw, Ill. They have two daughters, Dorothy Laura, and June Elizabeth.
Mr. Bolstad is a member of the First Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and Kiwanis Club. He has always been a Republican.
Frank E. Bretz, chief probation officer of Will County, is among the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Joliet. He was born at Lock- port, Will County, March 14, 1875, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lachmann) Bretz.
Peter Bretz, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Germany and came to the United States about 1855. When only 14 years of age he enlisted for service in the Civil War and served as a member of Battery D, Light Artillery, Second Illinois Regiment. He served throughout the duration of the war, and after his discharge returned to Lockport where he followed the trade of a stone mason. He died in 1922 at the age of 88 years, and is buried in the Lockport Cemetery. His widow, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, is now 91 years of age. She lives in Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Bretz the following children were born: Mrs. Josephine Spaulding, lives in California; Mrs. Eliza- beth Hardin, lives at Ottawa, Kans .; Mrs. Emma Westermann, deceased ; Albert P., lives in Chicago; Mrs. May Freund, deceased; and Frank E., the subject of this sketch.
Frank E. Bretz obtained his education in the public schools of Lock- port. He was employed as a salesman there for several years and later came to Joliet, where he engaged in the grocery and meat business for eight years. He then spent eight years in the employ of the Schultz
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Baking Company of Chicago, and in October, 1927, was appointed chief probation officer of Will County.
Mr. Bretz was married Dec. 31, 1902, to Miss Bernice Margaret Leddy, of Lockport, the daughter of James and Mary (Smith) Leddy. Mr. Leddy is deceased and his widow lives in Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Bretz have been born four children: Marian Bernice, Madeline Frances, and Elizabeth Mary, all graduates of Joliet Township High School; and Frank Edward, Jr., who attends Farragut School.
Mr. Bretz is a member of the Masonic Lodge and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church.
Horace H. Brown is well known among the reliable and successful business men of Joliet, where he is sole owner of the J. D. Brown & Company business, pioneer druggists of Will County. He was born in this city, and is the son of J. D. and Emily G. (Bartle) Brown.
J. D. Brown, who held the distinction of being the second druggist and chemist of Joliet, George Woodruff being the first, was a native of New York. He was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., March 12, 1826. He received his education in Lyman Cross Academy at Troy, N. Y., completing the course in 1842 at the age of 16 years. He then engaged in the drug business with his uncle at Lansingburg, N. Y., where he remained two years. He then came West and located at Joliet, where he established the business which now bears his name. The store has continued in operation continuously since 1844 and is not only the oldest business house in Joliet, but the oldest established retail drug store in Illinois, and one of the most dependable firms. Their honest and upright dealings combined with unusual energy have been responsible for the outstanding success of this well known enterprise. J. D. Brown died in February, 1895, and the business was continued by his sons, Horace H. and Eugene C., until 1900, when Eugene C. died and since then the business has been carried on by H. H. Brown.
On Sept. 10, 1846, Mr. Brown married Miss Adelia Brown, in New York. They had two children, George and Mary M. Brown. The first wife of Mr. Brown died in September, 1855, and in September, 1858, he married Miss Emily G. Bartle. To this union were born three children: Eugene, Helen and Horace H.
Horace H. Brown grew up in Joliet and attended the public schools. He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Pharmacy. He is assisted in
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his business by three other graduate pharmacists and since the death of his honored father has succeeded in carrying out his policy of honesty in all business dealings. The "Prescription Store," as it is known, guarantees to its patrons honesty and courtesy in its trans- actions and it is among the few business houses that are satisfied with a small margin of profit.
On June 8, 1900, Horace H. Brown married Miss Bonnie Smith, of Pontiac, Ill., the daughter of Frank Smith. Mr. Smith, a veteran of the Civil War, is a prominent pioneer citizen of Pontiac, Ill., where he engaged in the jewelry business for many years. He is now 83 years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown a daughter was born, Marion. She is a graduate of Joliet Township High School and Lasell Seminary, at Auburndale, Mass.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Episcopal church and belongs to the Elks Lodge and Chamber of Commerce.
Joseph A. H. Beach is one of the representative and highly success- ful business men of Joliet, where he conducts the dry goods business which was established by his father more than 40 years ago. He was born at Morris, Ill., Sept. 6, 1877, the son of LaFayette and Amelia A. (Hennessey) Beach.
LaFayette Beach was born at Dansville, N. Y. He came to Illinois in 1868 and engaged in the dry goods business at Morris until 1888, at which time he removed to Joliet and opened a store at 209-211 North Chicago Street. He successfully conducted this business until the time of his death, which occurred on May 14, 1914. He is buried at Morris, Ill. His widow, also born at Dansville, N. Y., resides at 1209 Cass Street, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Beach were born four children: Mrs. Maud A. Wallace, lives in Joliet; Leighton F., deceased; Joseph A. H., the subject of this sketch; and Blaney A., deceased.
Joseph A. H. Beach grew up at Morris and was 11 years old when his family came to Joliet. He completed his early schooling in this city and later spent three years at Phillips Exeter Academy. He took up the study of medicine but due to ill health he gave up his plans and went to Arizona, where he spent ten years. While there he was interested in the sheep business, which he sold out in 1911. He then returned to Joliet and reentered his father's business. Upon the latter's death Mr. Beach, in partnership with his brother, Blaney A. Beach, purchased the stock
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of Louis Stocker, a stockholder, and they conducted the business at 209-11 North Chicago Street until 1920, at which time the new store was occupied at Cass and Chicago streets.
Mr. Beach is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Joliet Commandery No. 4, Rotary Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Beach is president of the Merchants Association of Joliet and also is president of the L. F. Beach Company of Joliet.
Ray Beach Wallace, who is identified with the. L. F. Beach Company, is numbered among the progressive and enterprising young business men of Joliet. He was born in Chicago, March 27, 1897, the son of Frank P. and Maud (Beach) Wallace.
Frank P. Wallace is a native of Fond du Lac, Wis. He has been interested in the jewelry business in Chicago for 35 years. His wife was born at Morris, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were born two sons: Ray Beach, the subject of this sketch; and Norman B., who died at the age of four years.
Ray Beach Wallace received his early education in the public schools of Chicago and in 1920 was graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania with the degree of Bachelor of Science. The following year he received the degree of Master of Science from the same university. He served as a member of the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania for three years, and began his business career with the Supplee Ice Cream Company of Philadelphia. In 1924 he came to Joliet to accept his present position with the L. F. Beach Company, dry goods. He is now vice president.
On Feb. 2, 1923, Mr. Wallace married Miss Henriette Keil, of Phila- delphia. She is a graduate of the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have two daughters: Joan, born July 11, 1926; and Jane, born Jan. 16, 1928.
Mr. Wallace is independent in politics. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and Rotary Club. He is a director and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce.
During the World War Mr. Wallace enlisted in the Naval Aviation Department, and was an instructor and Pilot carrying government mail. He was commissioned ensign. He served about 18 months and was dis- charged in 1919. He was stationed at Hampton Roads, Va.
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Bernard A. Evans .- Numbered among the successful business men of Joliet is Mr. Evans, who is vice president of the Union Machinery Company. He was born in London, England, in 1897, the son of Samuel H. and Mary (Holton) Evans.
Samuel H. Evans, who lives in Canada, is a native of London. For a number of years he has engaged in the shoe business. His wife was also born in England.
Bernard A. Evans obtained his education in England and at an early age went to Canada, where he became interested in the banking busi- ness. He began as a clerk in the Union Bank of Canada and was pro- moted to assistant auditor. He left Canada, in January, 1923, and soon after his arrival in Joliet became associated with the Union Machinery Company, as office manager. In 1926 he was elected vice president of the company.
On Feb. 19, 1921, Mr. Evans married Miss E. Bernice Ruggles, of Joliet, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton L. Ruggles. Mr. Ruggles is connected with the Star Peerless Wallpaper Company.
Mr. Evans is a Republican, a member of the Richards Street Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he is deacon, and he also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. His wife is an active member of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Joliet and is a prominent musician, being organist of the First Baptist Church. She also holds membership in the Women's Home Missionary Society and W. C. T. U.
Harry S. Weitzel, M. D., is among the leading and widely known phy- sicians of Joliet, where he specializes in the treatment of nervous dis- eases. He was born in this city, Oct. 24, 1890, the son of Joseph Mar- tin and Amelia (Dennison) Weitzel.
Joseph Martin Weitzel, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born at Harrisburg, Pa., and early in life went to Topeka, Kan., where he owned a ranch and was well known as a cattle dealer. In the 80's he came to Joliet where he was associated with one of the large steel plants in this city as a chemist. He continued in this work during the remainder of his life but was living retired for several years before his death, which occurred May 15, 1899. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet. Amelia (Dennison) Weitzel was born in Scotland and was 15 years old when her family came to the United States and settled in Joliet. She is still a resident of this city. Two children were born to
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